Recessed fixture mounting means



March 31, 1964 w. K. M GINTY ETAL RECESSED FIXTURE MOUNTING MEANS FiledOct. 9 1961 i Hm nmllfillllllll jizvezz ora.

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United States Patent 3,127,145 RECESSED FIXTURE MGUNTING MEANS WilliamK. McGinty, Fort Atkinson, and Douglas L.

Stamrn, Whitewater, Wis, assignors to Thomas Industries Ind, Louisville,Ky, a corporation of Delaware Filed Get. 9, 1%1, Ser. No. 14$,Q22 8Claims. (Ci. 248-216) The present invention relates to mounting meansfor recessed electrical fixtures, and more particularly to an improvedhanger strap for mounting such fixtures.

Electrical lighting fixtures of the type which are mounted in recessedrelation in ceilings or walls are commonly supported and fixed in placeby means of metal bars or hanger straps which are secured to the fixtureby screws to project outwardly therefrom. These bars or straps areapertured to allow the driving of nails or screws therethrough into thewooden joists or studs which they overlie, it being understood that thefixtures are disposed in the spaces between adjacent joists or studswith the straps extending therefrom for a sufiicient distance to engageover these timbers. This conventional mounting arrangement requiresconsiderable time and labor, thus adding to the costs of installation ofthe fixtures by the necessity for using screws and/ or nails, but moreimportantly consumes time in applying these fastening means, and inaddition results in more loss of time and materials, particularly in thecase of overhead or ceiling installations, by screws or nails falling orbeing dropped before they can be securely driven home.

. 3,127,145 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 tion of the fixture relative to thesupport without requiring adjustment or relocation of the drivableelements.

Other and further objects, advantages, and features of our inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a hanger strap according to thepresent invention secured on a fixture to be mounted thereby;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken substantially as indicated by theline 2-2 of FIGURE 1, showing the hanger strap in plan;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially asindicated by the line 33 in FIG- URE 2, showing the hanger strap in endelevation and illustrating the engagement thereof with the fixture;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the tongueprovided on the hanger strap as illustrated in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a transverse sectional View taken substantially as indicatedby the line 55 of FIGURE 4.

Our invention overcomes these difficulties inherent in the fixturemounting means heretofore known, and effects a great saving in time andlabor in the installation of such fixtures, as well as saving ofmaterials. The invention achieves these results by providing a hangerstrap which is very quickly, simply, and easily secured to the fixtureand which has spikes or prongs thereon which may easily and quickly bedriven into a joist or the like support to secure the hanger strapthereto for mounting the fixture in the desired position. The hangerstrap of our invention makes provision for assuring that the hangerstrap can be secured to a support regardless of what particular spacingmay be desired between the fixture and the support for centering orotherwise specifically positioning the fixture.

t is an important object of the invention to provide a hanger strap formounting of recessed electrical fixtures which is quickly and easilysecura'ole to the fixture without need for tools, or need for screws orsimilar fastening elements.

Another object is the provision of a hanger strap for mountingelectrical fixtures readily attachable to a fixture and bitinglyengageable therewith for the increased security of attachment.

Another object is the provision of a hanger strap for mountingelectrical fixtures which has secured thereon prongs or spikes readilydrivable into a support to secure the hanger strap thereto.

Another object is the provision of a hanger strap for mountingelectrical fixtures having fixed thereon fastening elements readilydrivable into a support, in which the drivable elements are spaced insuch relation as to assure that at least one thereof will engage in thesupport regardless of the particular spacing of the fixture from thesupport.

It is another object of the invention to provide a hanger strap formounting electrical fixtures on spaced supports between which thefixture is disposed, which has fixed thereon projecting drivableelements for engagement with the support to secure the strap thereto andthereby mount the fixture in place, which permits adjustment of theposi- Referring to the drawings, the hanger strap of the invention isindicated generally at 10, and is shown as secured to an electricallighting fixture generally designated F. More specifically, the bracketis shown as secured to an outwardly projecting leg L of a mountingbracket B adjustably secured to the fixture so as to provide forvariable vertical positioning of the fixture relative to the ceiling.The bracket illustrated is of the type disclosed in McGinty Patent No.2,898,075 of August 4, 1959. Mounting brackets are generally employedwith electrical fixtures of this type, whether of the fixed positiontype or the adjustable type illustrated. Such brackets commonly are ofangled form, providing a portion extending along a side wall of thefixture and a leg such as the leg L extending outwardly from the wall. Amounting projection similar to the leg L may be provided on a fixtureotherwise than by a bracket.

The hanger strap 10 is formed of a flat sheet or strip 11 of metal orother appropriate material, of a width preferably greater through amajor portion thereof than the width of the mounting bracket leg L, asclearly shown in FIGURE 2. The strap 10 is of sufiicient length toextend from the fixture into overlying or engaging relation with a joistor other support, such as indicated in dotted lines at S in FIGURES 1and 2. Struck from the sheet or strip 11 to extend substantiallyperpendicularly from one face thereof is a plurality of spikes or prongs12, in this case four, of a tapered configuration from their basestoward the free ends thereof. The prongs 12 are shown as having theirfree ends rounded, but it will be understood that they might be of moresharply pointed form if desired. The prongs are preferably spaced toboth sides of the center line of the strap, and are also spacedlongitudinally of the strap. The transverse spacing of the prongs is, ofcourse, limited by the width of the strip 11, and it is for this reasonthat the width is as great as conveniently practical, since thisminimizes any weakening of the hanger strap by the apertures 13 lefttherein by the formation of the prongs 12. The longitudinal spacing ofthe prongs is such that the longitudinal distance between adjacentprongs is less than the thickness, or the dimension lengthwise of thehanger strap, of the support S, as will be evident from FIGURES 1 and 2.By this arrangement, at least one of the prongs 12 will be disposed inposition to enter the support, as will be obvious from FIGURES 1 and 2,regardless of the exact spacing of the fixture F from the support. Thisallows the location of the fixture F to be adjusted relative to thesupport S as may be desired, without involving the possibility of thehanger strap prongs being located out of engageable relation with thesupport. The prongs 12 serve as fastening elements which may be driveninto the support by means of the blows of a hammer or like tool on theface of the strip 11 opposite that from which the prongs extend. Anumber of apertures 14 may be provided in the body of the hanger strapspaced longitudinal thereof, to accommodate fastening means auxiliary tothe prongs, such as screws or nails, which may be driven into thesupport S if desired. Edge serrations or other means may be employed onthe prongs, if thought desirable, for more secure attachment.

At one end, the hanger strap is of a width to correspond generally tothe width of the mounting bracket leg L, as clearly shown in FIGURES 2and 3. This end portion has projecting opposed side edge portionsthereof bent toward each other over the body of the strip 11 to providefacing channels 16 adapted to receive opposite side edge portions of theleg L in snugly fitting secured relation, substantially as shown inFIGURE 3. The hanger strap 10 thus may be secured on the mountingbracket B, and thus on the fixture F, without need for tools, simply bypushing the strap onto the leg L with the side edges of the legfrictionally engaged in the channels 16.

A tongue 17 is struck from the plate or strip 11 adjacent the inner endsof the edge portions 15 and channels 16, directed toward the outer endsthereof. The free end of the tongue is bent away from the strip 11, andthe intermediate portion thereof is more or less parallel to the strip.As appears from FIGURES 1 and 2, the tongue is so located and formed asto receive the free end edge of the leg L between the tongue and thestrip 11 as the hanger strap is pushed into secured engagement on theleg as previously described, the tongue thus being adapted to limit theoverlapping of the hanger strap 1t and leg L. The tongue 17, by reasonof its overlying relation with the leg received therein, cooperates withthe channel-forming portions 15 to prevent relative movement of thehanger strap and mounting leg L, as will be evident. The tongue 17 isalso employed to lock the hanger strap on the bracket by a bitingengagement with the leg L. As best shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, the tongueis formed to have a concave cross section at the portion thereof whichis adapted to overlie the bracket leg L, so that side edge portions 18are provided which are relatively sharp and extend in the direction ofthe strip 11. When the hanger strap 10 is pushed onto the mountingbracket leg L in the manner described, so that the side edges of thebracket leg are frictionally engaged in the channels 16 and the end edgeof the leg is received between the tongue 17 and the adjacent surface ofthe strip 11, the sharp edge portions 18 cut or bite into the leg L tohold the hanger strap securely fastened on the bracket. Although thehanger strap may be readily removed from the leg L by an outward pullthereon, it is securely locked on the bracket leg for purposes ofmovement and handling therewith, and thus in effect is a part of thefixture. The fixture may thus be provided with the hanger straps in avery simple and expeditious manner, and then moved about therewith as aunit in positioning the fixture or adjusting its location without dangerof the hanger straps falling off. When the fixture is located asdesired, the several hanger straps 10 are struck on the prongless facesthereof with a hammer to drive at least one prong of each strap into asupport S, as previously described.

In the present instance, the bracket leg L is shown as provided with anear or projection P, but such a projection when provided is spaced fromthe side edges of the leg and does not interfere with reception of theleg in the channels 16 of the hanger strap 10, as clearly shown inFIGURE 2.

While the main or body portion of the strap 10 has been disclosed asconsiderably wider than the bracket leg L or similar projection on thefixture F, it will be understood that it might be of substantially thesame width, or narrower, if material of sufi'icient strength were usedto avoid undue weakening by the apertures 13, or if, alternatively, theprongs 12 were formed separately from the strip 11 instead of integrallytherewith as disclosed, and welded or otherwise suitably securedthereto. The integral construction of the hanger strap as disclosed,however, provides an inexpensive device which nevertheless is completelyeifective.

The side edge portions 15 providing the channels 16 and the tongue 17are illustrated as projecting from the same face of the strip 11, or inthe same direction, as the prongs 12. This is advantageous from thestandpoint of having the bracket leg L resting on and supported by asubstantially solid portion of the strip 11 over substantially theentire extent of the leg, when the fixture is installed in a ceiling,for more secure mounting. Corresponding mounting securement is obtainedwhen the fixture is recessed in a wall. If desired, however, the sideedge portions 15 may be bent to project from the face of the stripopposite that from which the prongs 12 project, and the tongue 17 maycorrespondingly be struck out from the strip in the opposite directionfrom that illustrated. The connection between the hanger strap and thebracket leg L then is made in substantially the same way as describedhereinabove, assuming that the projection P is eliminated oraccommodated in suitable fashion. In either case, of course, the hangerstrap is mounted on the bracket leg or corresponding element of thefixture so that the prongs 12 extend toward the plane of the closed topor rear wall of the fixture, to dispose them in proper position fordriving into the joists or studs as explained. It will be understoodthat the apertures 14 may be eliminated, if desired, since the mountingof the fixture by means of the prongs 12 of the hanger straps is morethan adequately secure, but the provision of the apertures 14 may beadvisable in the event individual contractors or other users of thedevice may Wish to be able to employ auxiliary securing or fasteningmeans if they so desire.

It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention isillustrative and exemplary, and that the invention is not restricted tothe particular forms and relationships set forth, since many variationsand modifications may be made without departing from the scope of theinventive concept.

We claim:

1. A recessed lighting fixture comprising a housing, a planar mountingprojection extending from said housing, and a hanger strap formed of asubstantially flat strip, said strip having a plurality of prongs strucktherefrom in spaced relation to each other and extending substantiallyperpendicularly thereof, a pair of facing channels extending alongopposed edges of the strip at an end portion thereof spaced from saidprongs, having said fixture projection disposed in frictionally heldengagement therein, said channels being defined by marginal portions ofthe strip bent to extend toward each other and being spaced anddimensioned for said frictional engagement with the projection, and atongue struck from said strip adjacent the channels bent to extendtoward said strip end portion in spaced relation to the strip receivingthe end of the fixture projection, at least a portion of said tonguehaving a concave cross section providing relatively sharp edge portionsbiting into said projection.

2. A recessed lighting fixture comprising a housing, a planar mountingprojection extending from said housing, and a mounting strap secured onand extending from said projection, said strap comprising a generallyplanar strip, a plurality of support-penetrating prongs fixed on saidstrip in spaced relation to each other, a pair of opposed marginalportions of the strip bent toward each other to define facing channelshaving said fixture projection frictionally held in engagement therein,a tongue struck from the strip bent to extend in spaced relation theretoand in the direction of the projection and having a portion overlyingthe end of the projection in securing relation, and at least onerelatively sharp edge on said tongue biting into the projection.

3. A recessed lighting fixture comprising a housing, a planar mountingprojection extending from said housing, a mounting strap fixed on saidprojection and extending therefrom, at least one prong on the strapadapted to be driven into a fixture support, and means securing saidstrap on the projection, said securing means comprising a pair of facingchannels formed on said strap holding said projection frictionallytherein and a tongue on the strap overlying the end of the projection inretaining relation, said tongue having at least one sharp edge portionbiting into the projection.

4. A hanger strap engageable on a lighting fixture mounting leg,comprising a substantially flat metal strip, a plurality ofsupport-penetrating prongs struck from said strip adjacent one endthereof extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, a pair ofopposed marginal portions of the strip adjacent the other end thereofbent toward each other to define a pair of facing channels spaced toreceive opposed edges of said leg therein, and a tongue struck from thestrip at an intermediate portion thereof bent to receive the end of theleg, said tongue having a concave cross section providing relativelysharp side edge portions directed toward the strip for biting engagementwith said leg end, and said prongs being spaced one from another alongthe strip by a distance less than the dimension of a support in thedirection in which the strap extends.

5. A hanger strap engageable on a lighting fixture mounting leg,comprising a substantially flat strip, a plurality ofsupport-penetrating prongs fixed on said strip extending substantiallyperpendicularly therefrom, a pair of facing channels on the strip spacedto receive opposed edges of said leg therein, and a tongue struck fromthe strip extending toward the leg and bent to receive the end of theleg, said tongue having a cross-sectional configuration providing atleast one relatively sharp edge portion directed toward the strip forbiting engagement with said leg end.

6. A hanger strap engageable on a mounting projection of an electriclighting fixture, comprising a substantially fiat strip, at least oneprong on said strip adapted to enter a fixture support, and means on thestrip for securing the strap to said mounting projection, said securingmeans including a tongue extending in a direction to overlie the end ofthe projection in retaining relation and having a cross-sectionalformation providing a sharp edge portion directed toward the strip forbiting engagement with the projection.

7. For use with a recessed lighting fixture having an outwardlyprojecting mounting leg, a hanger strap comprising a substantially fiatstrip having an end portion of a width corresponding to that of saidmounting leg, side edge portions of said end portion bent toward eachother in spaced relation defining facing channels for frictionalreception of side edges of said leg, a tongue struck from said stripadapted to overlie the end of the leg upon insertion of the leg in saidchannels, said tongue having a concave section providing relativelysharp edges directed toward the strip for lockingly biting into said legend, and a plurality of prongs struck from the strip adapted to bedriven into a support for the fixture, the length of said strip beingsulficient to accommodate variations in spacing between the fixture andsaid support, said prongs being spaced one from another longitudinallyof the strip by a distance less than the dimension of the support in thedirection longitudinally of the strip.

8. For use with a recessed lighting fixture having an outwardlyprojecting mounting leg, a hanger strap comprising a strip, opposed edgeportions of said strip bent inwardly toward each other defining facingchannels for frictionally receiving said leg, a tongue on said stripadapted to overlie the end of the leg upon reception of the leg in saidchannels, at least one relatively sharp edge on said tongue directedtoward the strip for lockingly biting into said leg end, and at leastone prong on the strip adapted to be driven into a support for thefixture, the length of said strip being sufficient to accommodatevariations in spacing between the fixture and said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,795,224 Mangin Mar. 3, 1931 1,801,550 Pullman Apr. 21, 1931 2,463,110Johnson Mar. 1, 1949 2,695,658 Flint Nov. 30, 1954

1. A RECESSED LIGHTING FIXTURE COMPRISING A HOUSING, A PLANAR MOUNTINGPROJECTION EXTENDING FROM SAID HOUSING, AND A HANGER STRAP FORMED OF ASUBSTANTIALLY FLAT STRIP, SAID STRIP HAVING A PLURALITY OF PRONGS STRUCKTHEREFROM IN SPACED RELATION TO EACH OTHER AND EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLYPERPENDICULARLY THEREOF, A PAIR OF FACING CHANNELS EXTENDING ALONGOPPOSED EDGES OF THE STRIP AT AN END PORTION THEREOF SPACED FROM SAIDPRONGS, HAVING SAID FIXTURE PROJECTION DISPOSED IN FRICTIONALLY HELDENGAGEMENT THEREIN, SAID CHANNELS BEING DEFINED BY MARGINAL PORTIONS OFTHE STRIP BENT TO EXTEND TOWARD EACH OTHER AND BEING SPACED ANDDIMENSIONED FOR SAID FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PROJECTION, AND ATONGUE STRUCK FROM SAID STRIP ADJACENT THE CHANNELS BENT TO EXTENDTOWARD SAID STRIP END PORTION IN SPACED RELATION TO THE STRIP RECEIVINGTHE END OF THE FIXTURE PROJECTION, AT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID TONGUEHAVING A CONCAVE CROSS SECTION PROVIDING RELATIVELY SHARP EDGE PORTIONSBITING INTO SAID PROJECTION.